A recently released Ministry of Education catalog of undergraduate majors showed changing economic and social needs. Some of the newly added majors attest to advancements in science and technology, while others reflect a demand for mental health categories, including art therapy, a discipline added by the Central Academy of Fine Arts.

Art therapy has been practiced in relevant fields such as psychology and the arts for some time now. A recent forum in Beijing brought together stakeholders to discuss how public art can play a greater role in healing people's emotions and minds in a fast-paced world where many must cope with mounting pressures in the workplace, at home, and in social situations.

Designer Jia Wei spoke about how making art once helped him cope through a difficult time in his life, which motivated him to launch a series of art theory programs tailored-made for different social groups, such as new moms and competitors. Yan Yan, executive director of Today Art Museum, said that public art has become a vital force in easing anxiety and fostering a spiritual ecology for urbanites.

Jia also displayed his recent artworks, some of which used an AI algorithm. Kang Li, a teacher from the Central Academy of Fine Arts, says that by leveraging AI to channel resources, art theory can help heal the broader population.